Seoul  - Shares soared Monday on the Seoul stock exchange led by steel and machinery stocks which got a boost from China's announcement of an economic stimulus package worth 586 billion dollars. South Korea's currency edged up against the dollar.

The benchmark Kospi index surged 17.97 points, or 1.6 per cent, to close at 1,152.46.

Advancing issues outnumbered losers 530 to 292.

The main index of the technology-heavy Kosdaq market rose 6.63 points to 322.17.

The US dollar was quoted at 1,326.30 won, after 1,328.80 won on Friday. (dpa)